Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages may be involved in a lower risk of pancreatitis
In this prospective study, the influence of smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the risk of pancreatitis was investigated.
American scientists conducted a prospective analysis of 145,886 participants in the “Multi-Ethnic” cohort to examine the relationship of alcohol drinking and smoking with pancreatitis. The results showed that smoking cigarettes was associated with gallstone-related acute pancreatitis and recurrent acute/chronic pancreatitis. In contrast, moderate intake of alcoholic beverages was inversely associated with all types of pancreatitis in women, and with acute pancreatitis and recurrent acute/chronic pancreatitis in men. The risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis was highest among current smokers who consumed more than 4 drinks per day, whereas among never smokers, moderate drinking was associated with a reduced risk. In women, drinking less than 2 drinks per day was related to a reduced risk of gallstone-related acute pancreatitis among never smokers. The authors concluded that smoking is a risk factor for non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis. Moderate alcohol intake seems to be protective against all types of pancreatitis in women and against acute pancreatitis and recurrent acute/chronic pancreatitis in men.
Setiawan VW, Pandol SJ, Porcel J, et al. Prospective Study of Alcohol Drinking, Smoking, and PancreatitisPancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas associated with inappropriate release of dig.... Pancreas. 2016;45(6):819-25.
For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.
(*) PancreatitisPancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas associated with inappropriate release of dig... is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas associated with inappropriate release of digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat as well as the release of the hormones glucagon and insulin into the blood stream. These hormones are involved in the blood glucose metabolism.
Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and most often resolves within several days.
Most cases of acute pancreatitis are linked to gallstones. Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use have been associated with risk of pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis occurs most commonly after an episode of acute pancreatitis and is the result of ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. Damage to the pancreas from excessive alcohol use may not cause symptoms for many years, but then the person may suddenly develop severe pancreatitis symptoms, including severe pain and loss of pancreatic function, resulting in digestion and blood sugar abnormalities.